08 July 2013 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario hosted a reception for the diplomatic and consular corps on July 04 at the Manila Polo Club to seek international support for the candidature of Atty. Ma. Gracia M. Pulido-Tan, Chairperson of the Commission on Audit (COA), to the United Nations Board of Auditors (UNBOA) for the term 2014-2020 at elections to be held in November 2013.
Aside from highlighting Chairperson Tan’s extensive experience and expertise, as well as professional integrity that will make her an asset to the United Nations, Secretary Del Rosario also lauded COA as an institution that has contributed much to the economic development and progress of the country by ensuring the efficient and transparent use of government resources.
“Chairperson Tan’s candidature represents the Philippines’ contribution towards promoting transparency, accountability, high ethical standards, and efficiency in the UN,” Secretary Del Rosario added.
Chairperson Tan, in her speech, outlined her vision and priorities if elected to the UNBOA, which include:
- Undertaking a risk-based audit planning process to focus UN’s limited resources to operations with the most significant impact;
- Continuous dialogue and cooperation with the management and staff of the audited UN organizations to develop and put forward recommendations that are truly necessary and implementable;
- Coordination with other oversight bodies such as audit committees, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), finance committees, internal audits, and the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) to ensure coordination and coherence of plans and activities;
- Deployment of auditors and other experts with the professional expertise and experience, who are physically and psychologically fit for the rigorous and painstaking work that effective, world class audit demands, and who have proven relational and communication skills of the highest level; and
- Ensure that the external audit services to the UN organizations are delivered in conformity with international audit standards and with the highest level of integrity and independence to enhance accountability and transparency in corporate governance.
“Last but not least, I bring the perspective and strength of a woman, a gender balance that should serve the UN well at these crucial times,” Chairperson Tan said.
Thirty-seven (37) members of the diplomatic corps and 30 honorary consuls were joined by the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries of DFA geographic offices, as well as COA officials during the reception. END